Travel Buddies

Down the road I met many wonderful people, locals and other travellers, making my trips very enjoyable. Local people are more open to interact with you while travelling alone. A local friend is a treasured companion. He knows the culture of the place and he is your best guide. You also can find your friend online, before you go. Gifts from your country of origin are much appreciated.

Nepal

Cheto, Kathmandu

In Kathmandu was Cheto – a freelancer, extraordinary tour guide. I met him on the street and he became my guide. If you intend to visit Kathmandu, contact Cheto at ramnobel@yahoo.com .

In Pokhara, was the “Provider”, a funny shady guy. Knowing him, I got to taste the home-made drink “Roxi” and try some herbs!

Ang Che-Chi and Bishnu

For trekking in Himalaya I would recommend “Friends in High Places“. Thanks to my sherpa, Che-Chi, and to my porter, Bishnu!

Tibet

Ovi, Ralph & Marie – Everest Base Camp

The “High Road to Tibet” tour with G Adventures was perfect. And BP was the best guide I ever had.

Experiencing forbidden things, such as local food, was fun. My roommate, Ralph from Germany (center) and Marie from Toronto (right) helped me to “break” the rules…

India

Escaping from an organized tour for two days was like breathing again, especially if my travel partners were Mizuki and Yuka from Japan!

Thailand

In Chiang Mai was Heidi, a Chinese professional going nowhere, same like me. So a “cloudy” day, suddenly became a “sunny” day! We even tried “fish massage”!

Laos

Miss Vong from my guesthouse was my guide for one day trip with the tuk-tuk to the falls in the peaceful Luang Prabang. She is an English teacher in Laos, so it was much easier to communicate and helpful to better understand the Laotian culture.

Vietnam

Thao, Hanoi

Having Thao in Hanoi, I didn’t have to think about where I am going. She is a graphic designer, a painter and a photographer. Thanks for bringing me to the best places of Hanoi!

Cambodia

Meeting the Australian couple, Maggie and Matt, during the two days travel in the Mekong Delta between Vietnam and Cambodia, was fun. We shared a tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh to visit the highlights of this city and we spent an evening at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Africa

Joyce, Lac Rose, Dakar

It makes a huge difference to know somebody there, such as Joyce – a Taiwanese volunteer nurse. She was a wonderful host in Gambia and a very handy bankomat, GPS and security guard in Senegal… Thank you, Joyce!

Thanks

Many, many thanks to my former boss, Sue, who let me leave for four months in the Indochina and West Africa adventures and to all my road friends from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Nagoya, Havana and other places: arigato, mhgoi, gracias!